Machine for transferring molded chocolate products from their shaping molds to packing boxes

ABSTRACT

A machine for transferring molded chocolate products from their shaping molds to packing boxes, of the type designed to operate between a first conveyor band or the like whereon the molds, coming from the molding plant, are continuously fed, and a second conveyor band or the like, located parallel to, and at the level of said bands. The second band feeds the empty packing boxes. The machine comprises two sets of pneumatically operated, similar members, designed to take-up and to lay down, respectively, the chocolate products only, to which products oppositely directed swinging motions through 90* are imparted in respect of a vertical middle plane, whereby to bring said sets from their horizontal position, above of related conveyor bands, to a vertical position wherein they are confronted with each other, a vacuum distribution being timed in such a manner that the chocolate products are taken-up from the molds, coming from the molding plant on the related conveyor band, by one set of members, then transferred to the other set of members while both sets are confronted with each other, and finally laid down, overturned through 180*, into the packing boxes conveyed by the second band, or directly on to the second band to be conveyed to wrapping equipment.

United States Patent [191 Carle MACHINE FOR TRANSFERRING MOLDEDCHOCOLATE PRODUCTS FROM THEIR SHAPING MOLDS TO PACKING BOXES [76]Inventor: Giovanni Carle, Via Neera 39,

Milan, Italy [22] Filed: May 10, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 141,702

3/1968 Rademacher et al .,53/25l X Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGeheeAttorneyKirschstein, Kirschstein, Ottinger & Frank [451 May 1,1973

[57] ABSTRACT A machine for transferring molded chocolate products fromtheir shaping molds to packing boxes, of the'type designed to operatebetween a first conveyor band or the like whereon the molds, coming fromthe molding plant, are continuously fed, and. a second conveyor band orthe like, located parallel to, and at the level of said bands. Thesecond band feeds the empty packing boxes. The machine comprises twosets of pneumatically operated, similar members, designed to take-up andto lay down, respectively, the chocolate products only, to whichproducts oppositely directed swinging motions through 90 are imparted inrespect of a vertical middle plane, whereby to bring said sets fromtheir horizontal position, above of related conveyor bands, to avertical position wherein they are confronted with each other, a vacuumdistribution being timed in such a manner that the chocolate productsare taken-up from the molds, coming from the molding plant on therelated conveyor band, by one set of members, then transferred to theother set of members while both sets are confronted with each other, andfinally laid down, overturned through 180, into the packing boxesconveyed by the second band, or directly on to the second band to beconveyed to wrapping equipment.

10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 3,729,888

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IN VEN TOR.

Patented May 1, 1973 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR Gin/Quail ("an a 44.;(LL, Q; 1 A4 MACHINE FOR TRANSFERRING MOLDED CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS FROMTHEIR SHAPING MOLDS TO PACKING BOXES OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention This invention concerns a machine by which moldedchocolate products are transferred from their shaping molds to packingboxes or to wrapping equipment. m

More precisely, the invention is directed to a device, synchronized withboth conveyors of chocolate products still contained in the molds comingfrom the molding plants, and of packing boxes, or even of looseproducts, respectively, and that are installed onthe opposite sides ofthe machine, and which is adapted to have same products transferred fromthe one, to the other of band conveyors by tilting them through 180".

2. Brief Discussion of Nearest Prior Art As well known, in the plantsfor the production of chocolate, chocolate bars, chocolate sticks andother chocolate sweets, such products are currently transferred by handfrom their shaping molds to packing boxes or wrapping equipment, withall the ill-effects that can be readily imagined.

Attempts have therefore been made to have the principles of automationapplied to such operation, and different equipments have been proposedto such a purpose. In one of such equipments it was endeavoured totransfer the considered products by a dual motion, i.e., the productsstill contained in their molds were firstly overturned from theirconveyor on to an intermediate device, and then linearly conveyed overthe packing box conveyor by means of a hunting suspension ofmold-products unit.

With regard to the design and embodiment form of such device, it is tobe kept in mind that the dual motion unavoidably results in a number ofdrawbacks, caused both by the intricacy and large number of components,and by the large weight of product-mold assemblage, for the realizationof which, therefore, considerable difficulties often are to be overcome.

At any rate, the point is that neither the above described prior artdevice, nor all other already proposed automatic mechanisms, have foundany practical application, whereby the considered problems is yetessentially unsolved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main purpose of the invention is to obviatethe above specified drawbacks by the provision of an efficient andinexpensive machine, by which chocolate products can be transferred fromtheir shaping molds to packing boxes, and which shows a conveyingcapacity at least equal to, or even higher than that of previousproduction lines.

Another and not less important purpose of the invention consists in theprovision of a machine by which the operating costs, and in particularthe costs of labor, can be minimized, by mechanizing the feed both ofthe molds and of the empty boxes, contrary to what is now being done inthe presently operating plants, where such operations are manuallyperformed.

A further purpose of the invention consists in the provision of amachine which is adapted to handle even very delicate products, as e.g.,soft centred sweets covered by a thin chocolate layer, being for such apurpose equipped with prehensile members, which are particularlysuitable to take-up and to support them.

The above and further purposes are attained by the machine fortransferring sweet products from their shaping molds to packing boxes,or to wrapping equipment, and operating between a first conveyor band,coming from the shaping plant and by which the molds filled with theproducts are conveyed, and a second conveyor band, located parallel to,and coplanar with the first band, such machine being characterizedessentially in that it is fitted with a pair of pneumatically operatedmembers, adapted to take-up the products only from their molds, thenleaving them down, and to which members oppositely directed swingingmotions through 90, symmetrically contrary in respect of aninterveningvertical middle plane, are simultaneously imparted, wherebyto bring the take-up planes from their horizontal positions on bothconveyor bands, to a vertical position wherein they are confronted witheach other, said two take-up members being controlled by a pneumaticdevice in such a way that the product only is taken-up from the molds byone member, handed-over to the other member when both members arevertically confronted, and then laid down, by a tilting motion through90 of latter member, into the packing boxes as conveyed by the relatedsecond conveyor band, or on to the second band by which it is thenconveyed to wrapping equipment.

The device is synchronized with the conveyor bands in such a manner thatthe transfer cycle time is exactly equal to time required to the bringthe next mold under the take-up member, and the next empty box under themember by which the products are laid down.

According to the invention, the symmetrically opposite motions areimparted to two members, by which the products are taken-up andlaid-down, respectively,

by two toothed sectors in mesh with each other and keyed to horizontalaxes, located between the conveyor bands and parallel to runningdirection thereof. Fast with each toothed sector is an arm, the free endof which is pivotally connected with the horizontal axis of gravity ofthe take up member, which is also slidingly connected with a pendulouslyhanging overhead rod the whole in such a manner that, due to thecombined action of the previously specified connections, and owing toreciprocating swinging motion through as imparted to the toothed sectorsand to their arms, both take-up and lay-down members are moved, withtheir gravity axes, along the circular path covered by the arms ends,and simultaneously are swung also through 90 about same gravity axesfrom the horizontal positions, to vertical positions, wherein sameplanes are confronted with each other, and vice-versa in the returnstrokes.

In point of fact it may be stated that the bigger technical advantage ofthe invention, as comparedwith the prior art, consists in that theproduct is tranferred from a first conveyor band to a second bandwithout overturning the molds, which conversely are conveyed further onby their band.

Moreover, the use of pneumatically controlled suckers permits even themost delicate products to be taken-up and laid-down without the leastdamage.

Now, according to above described design of transferring mechanism, andtaking also due account of the fact that the arrangement of products intheir molds is always the same, the suckers of both members should belocated in fixed positions, whereby the product is laid down into thepacking boxes always in the same manner, i.e., with always identicalspacings and mutual distribution. It follows that by the above device,it would be impossible to meet widely varying packing requirements. Inview of what precedes, a further purpose of the invention consists inthe provision of a simple and efficient device, strictly associated withthe transferring mechanism and allowing to change at will thearrangement of products in the packing boxes, whereby to obviate theabove stated drawback.

In a modified embodiment of the machine by which chocolate products aretransferred from their shaping molds into packing boxes, the member bywhich the product is withdrawn from the taking-up member and is laiddown into the packing boxes, is equipped with suckers movably fitted ina plane parallel to that wherein the products are supported, and thatcan be properly adjusted by means of a suitable mechanism, that allowsthem to be positioned in the pattern and at mutual spacing as requiredin each case.

According to such modified embodiment, the sucker positioning deviceessentially consists of two rows of cylindrical rods, lying in adjacentplanes perpendicular with each other and thus mutually intersecting,being almost in contact at their crossing points, and of sucker-carryingcubic blocks that are formed with two through bores, extendingaccordingly to the directions and positions of the two rods that arethredded therethrough, thus allowing each block to be moved along bothrods, i.e., in two directions perpendicular with each other, the wholein such a manner as to allow the crossing points of net-like arrangementof cubic blocks, and thus of suckers, nearer or further apart from oneanother, the different positionings being obtained by means of twocombs, located on the contour of the quadrilateral area wherein the rodsare located and formed with suitably oriented, inclined slots, whereinthe rod ends are guided, the whole in such a manner that, by shiftingthe rods relative to said combs, in directions perpendicular to planesof said rods, mutually different positionings of cubic blocks can beattained.

A cylinder-piston unit is provided to impart to the rods the requiredmotion relative to the combs, the rods being associated with the piston,whilst the combs are secured to cylinder and thus to the stationarymachine frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be disclosed in thefollowing description of two practical embodiments thereof, as shown inthe accompanying drawings, both the description and the drawings beinggiven as a non-restrictive example only.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the machine according to the invention, withthe transfer mechanism in the position corresponding to the intermediatestep of FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the transfer mechanism in the positioncorresponding to beginning of removal of products from the mold.

FIG. 3 is a side view similar to FIG. 2, however with the transfermechanism in the position corresponding to the intermediate step, i.e.,with the vertically confronted take-up members, the same being aposition of said members, between between the position of FIG. 2 and ofthe position of said members shown in dash lines in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a side view, similar to the preceding ones, however with themembers in the position corresponding to the final step, wherein theproduct is being laid down into a packing box.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of positioning device according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a partly vertical longitudinal section, taken along the lineII II of FIG. 5, the left side being a side view.

FIG. 7a is a further vertical section, taken at a right angle in respectof FIG. 6 one, on the line III III of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7b is a section similar to that of FIG. 7a, but showing a differentpositioning of rods and of sucker carying blocks.

FIG. 8a is a perspective view of a detail, showing how the rods areconnected with the combs, and:

FIG. 8b shows the same detail of FIG. 8a, but with differentlypositioned rods and sucker carrying blocks.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to said drawings,and firstly to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive thereof, T is the first conveyorband by which the product-containing molds are conveyed, T is the secondconveyor band by which the empty packing boxes are conveyed (or by whichthe product is fed to wrapping machines) and D is the device of thepresent invention by which a product is withdrawn from the first band Tand is laid down on the second band T,,.

In more detail, the products 2 are removed from the recesses 3 of moldsS by the take-up members la (see FIG. 2) of device D, and are then laiddown by the members lb (see FIG. 2) (wholly similar to members 1a) intothe cavities 4 of packing boxes C, or when no boxes are utilized, saidproducts 2 are laid directly down on to the second band T and conveyedto wrapping equipment, as previously stated.

In the considered example, the molds S, carried by the first conveyorband T,,, is formed with four recesses 3, and accordingly four cavitiesare shown by the boxes C. Therefore, the members la and lb, by which theproducts are taken-up and laid down, respectively, are fitted with foursimilarly arranged suckers, by which the products are acted upon, saidbeing suckers con nected through the chamber 6 and the duct 7 with thevacuum source (not shown). Obviously, when a different number ofarrangement of recesses and cavities is shown by the molds and boxes,members la and 1b (similar with each other) having a correspondingnumber of appropriately located suckers 3, are fitted on the machine.For this purpose the lower plate 14, by which said suckers are carried,is replaceable.

According to the invention, the member la (and likewise the member lb)is swingingly fitted about a horizontal axis 8, extending through thecenter of gravity of its chamber 6, said axis 8 being pivotallyconnected on the free end of an arm 9, which is rotated along with itstoothed sector a (the arm 9 for the member lb has a toothed section10b), about a fixed axis 11, that extends parallel to conveyor band T,(or T at a level slightly higher than that of said bands.

All components of the previously described device D are present also inthe left half of figures, and are indicated by the same referenceletters, except for the toothed sectors 10a and 10b, in mesh with eachother, and for the laying-down member, which is indicated by lb, todistinguish it from the taking-up member la.

Said taking-up member la is, moreover, slidingly fitted on an overheadrod 12, pendulously hanging from the stationary axis 13, and extendingperpendicularly to the interchangeable, sucker carrying plate 14; thesame can be obviously said for the laying-down member lb.

In point of fact the taking-up member (and likewise the similar layingdown member) is subjected to a double constraint, the first of which isgiven by the association of its axis 8 with the end of arm 9, while thesecond ensues from the fact that it is compelled to slide in a directionperpendicular to pendularly hanging overhead rod 12. Therefore, when areciprocating rotary motion (through 90) is imparted to toothed sectors10a and 10b, the arms 9 and thus also the axes 8 travel along the pathsindicated by the arrows f, and f simultaneously to such motion, bothmembers In and lb, being constrained to slide along the rods 12,pendularly hanging from 18, are turned about the axes 8, and are therebybrought from their positions wherein the plates 14 are horizontallylocated over the recesses 3 of molds S, and over the cavities 4 of boxesC, respectively (see FIG. 2), to their positions wherein said plates arevertically confronted with each other (see FIG. 3).

In the course of said rotation through 90, a vacuum is maintained by thepneumatic circuit in the suckers of member 1a, and as soon as said twoplates are vertically confronted, the vacuum is transferred from thesuckers of taking-up member la to the suckers of laying-down member 1b,whereby the products are also transferred in latter suckers, and thenlaid, at the end of reverse swinging motion (arrowsj andf see FIG. 4)down (overturned by 180 in respect of their original position in themold recesses) into the cavities 4 of packing box C.

By making the transfer time equal to the time required for bringing thenext mold and the next packing box C under the respective suckercarrying plates (on the basis of conveyor band speeds) the products thatare taken-up from the molds S that are being conveyed by the band T,,,at the very moment wherein the recesses 3 are coincident with thesuckers 5, are laid down into the boxes C, located symmetrically to themolds, or directly on to the band T Further advantages are secured bythe device according to the invention in addition to the above mentionedones, and namely:

Minimized mass of tilting components with proportionally reduceddifficulties in the practical realization thereof and reduced costs ofmaterials.

Possibility to increase the conveying capacity by installing a number ofdevices D at different points and by which molds conveyed by bandsrunning at higher speeds are acted upon, or even by having a singledevice D operated at a higher speed, due account being also taken of thefact that the considered device is normally operated at speeds similarto that of production lines.

The product is taken-up and laid down without dragging motions, but onlyacross paths perpendicular, or nearly perpendicular to contactingplanes.

Further important features and advantages are shown by the modifiedembodiment form of machine according to the invention, as shown in FIGS.5 to 8b inclusive.

Referring now to said figures, the whole sucker positioning device isindicated generally by the reference letter P, being same devicepivotally connected (see preceding FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive) with the endof arm 9, swinging about the axis 11, instead of (left) sucker carryingmember 1b, whilst no change is made in the components of right half,owing to the fact that while the components of right half are designedto withdraw the product from the molds, which mutual arrangement isknown for a given production line, the components of left half shalltake-out said product while being as obviously in position similar tothose of right half components, with which they are confronted, beinghowever the product to be differently positioned in each case into thepacking boxes, according to requirements.

Stated what precedes, in FIGS. 5 and 6, 8 is the axis which in the FIGS.1 to 4 inclusive is indicated by the reference numeral 8. Both ends ofsaid axis 8' slightly protrude out of sucker carrying body P. Formedbehind said ends are prismatic bosses 15 having bores 150, through whichthe arms 12, pendlularly hanging from the stationary axis 13 arethreaded.

After having thus stated how the: connection with the transferringdevice according to previously described embodiment form is established,a detailed description of proper positioning device is now given.

In the modified embodiment of the device under consideration, eachsucker 5 is supported at the crossing point of a net-like structure,consisting of two rows of cylindrical rods, indicated by the referencesymbols s s s s,,, and t,, t t t,,, respectively (for simplicitys sake,a few suckers only are shown in the figures).

All rods of each row are parallel with one another, and the rods of onerow are perpendicular, at least in projection, to those of other row. Inparticular, the two planes wherein the two rod rows extend, are parallelwith, and very near to each other, thus allowing said rods to crossthemselves.

According to a fundamental aspect of this embodiment of the invention, acubic block u, formed with two through bores extending perpendicularlywith each other, is inserted on the rods at each crossing point thereof,being thus able to be moved in both perpendicular direction. The innerdiameters of said bores and the outer diameters of rods are such as toallow a slid ing fit therebetween. The two bores 16 and 17 reproducetherefore the arrangement of rods at each crossing point thereof, andextend themselves across different and well defined portions of cubicblock. In

particular (as shown more clearly in the perspective views of FIGS. 8aand 8b) the rods of row s, extending through the bores 16, are locatedin the upper left portion of each, block, equal to one-fourth of surfacearea of the two crossed sides, while the rods of row t extend across thelower right zone of related sides (perpendicular to previously statedsides).

By such arrangement of bores in the cubic block, an easy sliding of thetwo rods therethrough is ensured, and in addition sufficient space isleft for a third hole 18, perpendicular to said bores, and wherein thetubular shank a of suckers 5 is inserted. Indeed, said hole 18 can bedrilled in the quarter of cubic block which is not crossed by the twobores.

The assembly formed by the two rod rows s and t (see FIGS. 5-8b)(approximately perpendicular with each other) is supported by arectangular frame 19, consisting of four sides, having all the samecross-section. In particular, each side comprises a lower component 20(see FIGS. 7a and 7b), acting as load bearing member and consisting ofan angle iron, and of a preferably plastics channel 21, defining agroove 210, wherein the rod ends are slidingly fitted. Said channels 21are connected by screws to angle irons 20, whereby to be easily replacedwhen wom-out as a consequence of motion of rod ends in the groove 21a.

The rods are moved along their grooves by the motion of translation (ina direction normal to that of rod shifting) of a further frame 22, thatcan be moved relative to stationary frame 19 and thus also relative torod assembly.

In particular, the movable frame 22 consists of oppositely located pairsof combs 22s for the rods s and 22t being for the rods t, being suchcombs 22s and 22t fitted near the related sides of stationary frame 19and rigidly secured by screws 24 to a frame made of angle irons 23.Small portions of combs 22s and 22t are shown in the FIGS. 8a and 8b.They consist of elements having a rectangular cross-section which iselongated in the direction of their translation motion (as stated inmore detail later on) and formed with slots 25s and 25:, wherein therods s, and s are engaged and guided. As shown in said figures, eachslot shows a particular course (i.e., approximately vertical and more orless inclined to the right or to the left in respect of relative motionof two frames). Thus, as it can be readily appreciated, by forcing thecombs, e.g., downwardly, in the direction of arrow f, the rods areshifted from the widely spaced position, as shown in the FIG. 8a, to thetightly spaced position of FIG. 8b. Such motion is obviously performedby all rods, and thus also by the suckers 5 carried by the cubic blocksn.

To impart a motion to frame 22 relative to frame 19, recourse isconveniently made to means as shown in FIGS. 6 and 711-711. It is matterof a pneumatically operated device, indicated generally by the referenceletter R, and that consists of stationary components and of movablecomponents.

In particular, such device comprises a pneumatic cylinder, the outerbody of which consists of an upper section 25, and of a bottom section26, formed with flanges 25a and 26a, respectively, by which saidsections are firmly connected together with the aid of screws 27.

Welded to the shoulder formed on the section 26 by its lower flange 26b(which is air-tight sealed by the cover 28) is a tubular yoke 29, whichis in turn connected, also by welding, with the comb carrying frame. Inparticular, said yoke 29 extends parallel to minor sides of frame 23,and is connected therewith near the combs 22t.

The outer end 300 of rod 30 of piston which is slidingly fitted in thechamber 31, is rigidly connected by a plate 33 welded thereto and by thescrews 32, with a bar 34, that extends parallel to positioning rods.Said bar 34 is C-shaped and is located with its open side directeddownwardly, as shown in FIG. 7a, whereby to accommodate the nuts 32a ofscrews 32 and of end 30a, within the C-section, without hindering themotion of rods t. However, the positioning device, as shown in the FIG.5, is designed for simultaneously filling two boxes and therefore themotion of rods t is stopped in the point wherein the channel 34 isconnected with the components 21 of frame 19. Such connection isestablished with the aid of suitable seats 35 (see FIG. 5) with whichthe components 21 are expressly formed.

In point of fact, on the basis of above description, it can be inferredthat, since the frame 19 is directly associated with the axis 8, and thewhole assembly being movable perpendicularly to arms 12, when the pistonrod 30 is moved from the position as shown in the FIG. 7a, to positionshown in the FIG. 7b, the frame 23, by which the combs 22s and 22t arecarried, is moved relative to frame 19, which is connected with thestationary structure of the machine.

In fact, rigidly connected with said frame 23 is the yoke 29, which isin turn connected with the body 26 of cylinder whereby, when compressedair is fed'to the device (through the upper section 25) an outwardlydirected thrust is exerted on rod 30, which however is kept fast withthe structure of the machine, since it is rigidly connected with theframe 19, whilst the cylinder 26, along with the yoke 29 and the frame23, is urged in the opposite direction.

The positioning motion is programmed in such a manner as to occur whilethe suckers are passed from the position wherein the product iswithdrawn from the mating suckers, to the position as required forlaying same product down into the boxes. Therefore, once the type ofpacking box is known, the expressly designed comb set 22s-22t is fittedon the machine, by which the chocolates are then properly conveyed andpositioned.

I claim:

1. A machine for transferring molded choclate products from theirshaping molds to packing boxes, said machine being of a type designed tooperate between a first conveyor band wherein molds, coming from amolding plant, are continuously fed, and a second conveyor band, saidmachine being located at the level of said bands, said second bandfeeding empty packing boxes,

said machine comprising:

a. two sets of pneumatically operated similar members for taking-up andlaying-down choclate products, respectively,

b. means imparting to said sets of members oppositely directed swingingmovement through in respect of a vertical plane midway between theconveyor bands, said means being arranged to swing said sets ofmembersfrom horizontal downwardly facing positions above relatedconveyor bands to confronting vertical positions, and

c. vacuum distribution means timed to render the taking-up set ofmembers effective and the laying-down set of members ineffective to holdsaid chocolate products from the time said taking-up set of members isin horizontal downwardly facing position until said taking-up set ofmembers is in confronting position and to render said laying-down set ofmembers effective and said taking-up set of members ineffective from thetime said laying-down set of members is in confronting position untilsaid laying-down set of members is in horizontal downwardly facingposition so that said chocolate products are lifted from the mold bysaid taking-up set of members, confronted by the set of laying-downmembers, transferred to said set of laying-down members and finally laiddown, overturned by 180, into packing boxes conveyed by the second band,or directly onto the second band to be converted to wrapping equipment.

2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein means is included tosynchronize the movement imparting means for both sets of members withthe conveyor bands in a manner such that the time taken by the transferoperation is equal to the time required to bring the next mold below theset of taking-up members and the next empty box, when boxes areutilized, below the set of laying-down members.

3. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the movement imparting meansincludes two toothed sectors in mesh with one another, horizontal shaftslocated between and parallel to the conveyor bands, one sector beingkeyed to one shaft and the other sector being keyed to the other shaft,arms, a different arm being fastened to each sector, means pivotallyconnecting the free end of each arm with a different set of members forrotation about an axis extending through the center of gravity of suchset, rods, each rod pendularly hanging from an overhead support andslidingly engaging a different set of members, said movement impartingmeans by reciprocating rotation of said sectors, said arms and saidcenters of gravity of said sets through 90 in opposite directions movingsaid sets along circular paths, while each set is simultaneously turnedabout said axis through 90.

4. A machine according to claim 2, wherein reciprocating rotary motionis imparted to one of the shafts having keyed thereto a toothed sectorin mesh with an opposite toothed sector.

5. A machine according to claim 1, wherein each set includes suckersconsisting of tubular, funnel-like projections extending from a commonchamber, and wherein means further is included alternately connectingsaid chambers with a vacuum source.

6. A machine according to claim 5, wherein each set includes aninterchangeable plate from which the suckers extend, whereby to permitadjustment of the number and arrangement of suckers.

7. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the sets of members includepenumatically controlled suckers and wherein means is provided to shiftthe relative relationship of the suckers in the set of laying-downmembers, in a plane, between an arrangement in confronting positionmatching the arrangement of the suckers in the taking-u set of membersand another preselected arrangemen whereby to rearrange the suc ers ofthe laying-down set of members in their downwardly facing position inany preselected pattern.

8. A machine according to cllaim 7, wherein the sucker shifting meansincludes two rows of round rods, lying in planes perpendicular and verynear to one another, with said rods near one another at their crossingpoints, a sucker carrying cubic block fitted to the rods at eachcrossing point, each said block having two through bores oriented in thesame direction as the two rods that extend therethrough, whereby toallow each block to be moved along either rod in order to enable thecrossing points of a net-like structure formed by the blocks and alsothe suckers to be shifted nearer to or further away from one another, arod-supporting frame, two combs on each frame, said combs being formedwith oriented inclined slots in which the ends of the rods are guided,said sllots being so inclined that upon movement of the combs relativeto the rods in a direction perpendicular to the planes of said rods,different positioning of the cubic blocks will be obtained.

9. A machine according to claim 8, wherein a cylinder-piston unit isincluded to move the combs rela tive to the rods, the rods beingconnected to the piston rod and the combs being connected to thecylinder and to the stationary frame of the machine.

10. A machine according to claim 9, wherein a yoke is provided which isfast to the cylinder, the yoke being rigidly connected to the centers ofopposite sides of a movable comb-carrying frame, a bar associated withthe rod, said bar extending in the same direction as the yoke, and astationary comb-carrying frame, relative movement of said frames causedby relative movement of the cylinder and bar shifting the rods andconcomitantly the relative positions of the cubic blocks in a plane.

1. A machine for transferring molded choclate products from theirshaping molds to packing boxes, said machine being of a type designed tooperate between a first conveyor band wherein molds, coming from amolding plant, are continuously fed, and a second conveyor band, saidmachine being located at the level of said bands, said second bandfeeding empty packing boxes, said machine comprising: a. two sets ofpneumatically operated similar members for taKing-up and laying-downchoclate products, respectively, b. means imparting to said sets ofmembers oppositely directed swinging movement through 90* in respect ofa vertical plane midway between the conveyor bands, said means beingarranged to swing said sets of members from horizontal downwardly facingpositions above related conveyor bands to confronting verticalpositions, and c. vacuum distribution means timed to render thetaking-up set of members effective and the laying-down set of membersineffective to hold said chocolate products from the time said taking-upset of members is in horizontal downwardly facing position until saidtaking-up set of members is in confronting position and to render saidlaying-down set of members effective and said taking-up set of membersineffective from the time said laying-down set of members is inconfronting position until said laying-down set of members is inhorizontal downwardly facing position so that said chocolate productsare lifted from the mold by said taking-up set of members, confronted bythe set of laying-down members, transferred to said set of laying-downmembers and finally laid down, overturned by 180*, into packing boxesconveyed by the second band, or directly onto the second band to beconverted to wrapping equipment.
 2. A machine according to claim 1,wherein means is included to synchronize the movement imparting meansfor both sets of members with the conveyor bands in a manner such thatthe time taken by the transfer operation is equal to the time requiredto bring the next mold below the set of taking-up members and the nextempty box, when boxes are utilized, below the set of laying-downmembers.
 3. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the movementimparting means includes two toothed sectors in mesh with one another,horizontal shafts located between and parallel to the conveyor bands,one sector being keyed to one shaft and the other sector being keyed tothe other shaft, arms, a different arm being fastened to each sector,means pivotally connecting the free end of each arm with a different setof members for rotation about an axis extending through the center ofgravity of such set, rods, each rod pendularly hanging from an overheadsupport and slidingly engaging a different set of members, said movementimparting means by reciprocating rotation of said sectors, said arms andsaid centers of gravity of said sets through 90* in opposite directionsmoving said sets along circular paths, while each set is simultaneouslyturned about said axis through 90*.
 4. A machine according to claim 2,wherein reciprocating rotary motion is imparted to one of the shaftshaving keyed thereto a toothed sector in mesh with an opposite toothedsector.
 5. A machine according to claim 1, wherein each set includessuckers consisting of tubular, funnel-like projections extending from acommon chamber, and wherein means further is included alternatelyconnecting said chambers with a vacuum source.
 6. A machine according toclaim 5, wherein each set includes an interchangeable plate from whichthe suckers extend, whereby to permit adjustment of the number andarrangement of suckers.
 7. A machine according to claim 1, wherein thesets of members include penumatically controlled suckers and whereinmeans is provided to shift the relative relationship of the suckers inthe set of laying-down members, in a plane, between an arrangement inconfronting position matching the arrangement of the suckers in thetaking-up set of members and another preselected arrangement whereby torearrange the suckers of the laying-down set of members in theirdownwardly facing position in any preselected pattern.
 8. A machineaccording to claim 7, wherein the sucker shifting means includes tworows of round rods, lying in planes perpendicular and very near to oneanother, with said rods near one another at their crossing points, asucker carrying cubic block fitted to the rods at each crosSing point,each said block having two through bores oriented in the same directionas the two rods that extend therethrough, whereby to allow each block tobe moved along either rod in order to enable the crossing points of anet-like structure formed by the blocks and also the suckers to beshifted nearer to or further away from one another, a rod-supportingframe, two combs on each frame, said combs being formed with orientedinclined slots in which the ends of the rods are guided, said slotsbeing so inclined that upon movement of the combs relative to the rodsin a direction perpendicular to the planes of said rods, differentpositioning of the cubic blocks will be obtained.
 9. A machine accordingto claim 8, wherein a cylinder-piston unit is included to move the combsrelative to the rods, the rods being connected to the piston rod and thecombs being connected to the cylinder and to the stationary frame of themachine.
 10. A machine according to claim 9, wherein a yoke is providedwhich is fast to the cylinder, the yoke being rigidly connected to thecenters of opposite sides of a movable comb-carrying frame, a barassociated with the rod, said bar extending in the same direction as theyoke, and a stationary comb-carrying frame, relative movement of saidframes caused by relative movement of the cylinder and bar shifting therods and concomitantly the relative positions of the cubic blocks in aplane.